VI: Gentle Silences

Before the Calamity

Zelda's POV:

(flash forward to Death Mountain)

After hours of observing the divine beast, Daruk and I had finally come up with the solution for Vah Rudania. It had taken intense research, but it seems my studies of ancient technology had paid off! With the help of my giant friend, we fixed the gear error in the beast so Daruk could operate it easier. It felt nice to be of help.

Link watched the whole time, sword in hand. He was always near me; it used to annoy me, but for some reason, I have grown rather fond of having him by my side. As long as he didn't meddle with my studies, of course. I must say, I do like being independent, but his company is quite comforting at some times.

After fixing the beast, Link and I walked down from the volcano. I was so excited to talk about how I had helped fix Rudania! Maybe it would even impress my father.

"Link! It was quite incredible," I told him. "The machinery is far more advanced and intricate than I had ever dreamed of! To think people made it!"

I saw how Link looked at me when I was talking about something exciting. He seemed genuinely intrigued by my interests. It was quite a lovely feeling to have somebody who cares about your passions.

"It was quite hard and took a good bit of time, but Daruk and I discovered the problem was in its ancient gears! The best part was that I knew exactly how to fix it! After tireless afternoons of watching the Sheikah and the Guardians in the courtyard, I picked up how to tune up an ancient gear. I... I helped, Link. I finally did something to help."

I stumbled and began to correct myself. "Well, of course I would be able to help. It's just my duty... It's really no big deal for me to fulfil it."

Link nodded and looked at the ground, grinning slightly. I guess I enjoyed it more than him saying nothing at all. Speaking of last night, it seems that I can't remember much of what transpired after we slowed our horses. I must have been really tired by the time we reached Foothill Stables...

I noticed the Link's clothes had grown tighter and tighter to his skin. His biceps were outlined by his tight clothing, his abdominals seemed as if they were pulsing through his skin. I got slightly distracted for a second...

I realized that his clothes were sticking to him because of the intense heat. He was sweating profoundly. I didn't even notice! He had just stood there waiting for me to finish, while letting the relentless sun beat down on him. He gave me his last fireproof potion so that I could be by the volcano. He didn't have one... He must've been so hot! I felt awful.

As he wiped sweat droplets from his forehead, I thought of a great idea. I thought for a moment if I was ready to open up to him like I was about to. I decided that holding a grudge would do me no good... We were going to be around each other for a long while. I guessed it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to show him a little piece of my past.

"Link, follow me," I said. "I have something I want to show you."

I was so excited that I remembered that, and I kicked my feet up and ran down the mountain. I heard the clank of Link's weapons which told me he was following behind. Once we had made sufficient distance, we reached a peak-like hill in front of us. I began to hike up, and I looked back at Link. He was still sweating, but he looked less miserable since we were further away from the volcano. I smiled at him, and he immediately looked more determined to climb. We hiked for a short distance before reaching the top. I was slightly sweaty too, but my light riding clothes helped relieve the heat.

I climbed over a few rocks and stood near the edge. Link looked worried and reached his hand out, but I pushed it back to tell him it was okay. I looked over the entire kingdom of Hyrule. It was beautiful, from the dense Hyrule forest to the free and open fields, to canyons, deserts, and plateaus. 

Link stepped over the rocks and stood next to me.

"You know," I began softly, "when I was little, my mother and Lady Urbosa took a liking to Death Mountain. They used to travel to Goron City for the beautiful jewels and spices. I remember one time I came along, I was just a young girl, wide-eyed and curious. During the hike up the path, I remember my mother told Urbosa to continue and we would catch up later. She took me here. I remember what it was like, being so small, and looking out to something so beautiful and so much bigger than I would ever be. She told me... she told me..." I looked at Link. I had never told anyone about this, not even my father. It wasn't something that needed to be kept secret, but it was very important to me. It allowed me to reminisce my mother. He eyes gave me reassurance to continue. "She said, 'Zelda, look out upon this land. Everything you can see, from here to the furthest stretches of the land, this will one day be yours.'"

I turned to Link and looked in his eyes which were deep in thought. I grew quiet, and whispered, "That is why I know it is so important to protect this. That is how I know..." I never thought I would admit it, but I did. "That is how I know you- er, we, are so important."

I released my fingers that were clenched and held my hand out slightly. I was hoping it was enough for him to notice but not too obvious in case he decided to reject it. I looked down at my open pale hand, and looked back up at him.

To my surprise, Link held out his hand and grabbed mine. His gloved hand gripped mine... it was firm, but it was gentle. This wasn't like before- not like he did on the way to Foothill Stables. This was different. It was softer- more... more intimate, maybe. Or maybe it was just a sort of "join forces" thing, I didn't know.

I lay my head on his shoulder and we watched the clouds the travel by as the daylight dimmed slightly. I was looking out in front of me, but I was more focused on what was next to me. I was surprised how quickly I warmed up to him. Maybe it was the lack of love throughout my whole life... Once my mother died, my father became colder. More stern. I had to grow up then and learn how to protect my kingdom. I never doubted his love for me, but he showed it in strange ways. He was more of a mentor, not really a father. Link was the only person I didn't feel like a princess around, even though I had only known him for a few days. I wanted to say something to him, but I didn't know what. We just stood there in silence, but it wasn't a painful silence... it was a gentle silence.

It wasn't quite for long, however, because suddenly I heard Daruk's hefty voice behind us.

"Princess!" he called. I quickly released link's hand and held mine behind my back in embarrassment. I saw his massive round body clonking along from side to side as he ran, trying to reach us. "I didn't know if you wanted to stay in Goron City or not," he called as he grew closer to us. "But! Just in case you did, I had a private room arranged, just for the two of you!"

I blushed. "Um, Daruk," I said hesitantly. "What do you mean by a private room?"

He scratched his hand with his massive hand. He walked closer to us, and then said, "Well, it's just a little more secluded for intim- I MEAN PRIVACY! For the princess, of course."

It was humiliating. It seemed that Daruk knew what I was up to, even if I didn't completely know what I was up to myself.

"Daruk," I said nervously. "There are two beds, right?" 

"Yes, Princess, of course! They are RIGHT next to each other!" His eyes squinted as his face beamed profoundly. He seemed quite proud of himself. However, he must have noticed the disappointment on my face because he then said, "Um... I could have a curtain put up if you would like."

"That would be most appropriate," I said with secret disappointment. I tried to sound very mature and proper. I didn't want anyone getting the wrong ideas about me and Link.

"Right, of course! I will go have that arranged right now," Daruk said as he jumped into a ball and rolled down the slight hill we stood on.

I was too embarrassed to look at Link. I held my hands in a fists and straightened my arms at my sides. From there, I huffed down the hill. Link followed.

When we reached the Goron City inn, we were welcomed by a gentle goron. He lead us to a private building. Inside were two beds divided by a curtain, a cooking pot, and a pail of water with a wash cloth. It seemed quite cosy. 

"Please enjoy your stay," the goron said with a gleaming smile on his face. He left the room and left the door open slightly. Link closed it behind him. Few torches on the wall lit up the room sufficiently, and I walked over to my bed and set a saddle pack down on it. I looked at Link for the first time since we had left the cliff.

"Are you tired?" I asked him. He merely shrugged his shoulders and set his weapons and shield down on the floor. "Neither am I," I said. 

I jumped on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I was trying to register holding his hand into my brain so I could think about it whenever I wanted, but it seemed unreal. It was too good to be true. 

I pulled the curtain so it covered my side as much as possible. I waked out from my barrier and grabbed the pail of water. I returned and began to undress, peeling my sweat-stained clothes from my skin. I dropped them on the floor and washed myself with the cloth, trying to rid myself of the slight smell of sweat. After feeling sufficiently clean, I put on my white nightgown. The room was strangely heat-proof, so we weren't bothered at all in there. I slowly moved the curtain back and peeked around it. I saw that he had stripped down too, and I quickly let go and hid behind it. 

I put the pail on the other side so that he could use it, and I heard water dripping from the cloth as he scrubbed his skin.

I lay on my bed, trying to study something worth looking at on the ceiling, but I saw nothing. I sighed and rolled over to my side. Then, I heard Link sit down on his bed. I pulled the curtain back slightly and peered around it.

"Goodnight," I said softly. He nodded at me.

"Goodnight, princess," he said. After hearing those words, I squealed silently and squirmed in my sheets. I tried not to make any noise in order to conceal my excitement. 

I heard him climb completely into bed, and I figured then I must just try to fall asleep. I could feel the heat in my cheeks as I blushed uncontrollably from his words. I closed my eyes and tried to lay still.

An hour passed, and I was still awake. I flipped from one side to another. I don't know why it was so hard to fall asleep that night. I sighed and clenched my eyes shut, frustrated that I was still awake. I lied on my back and opened my eyes, finding myself staring at the ceiling again. It was too dark to see, so I just stared into the black air.

I tossed and turned for a few more minutes before I decided to slip out of bed.  I pulled the curtain back slightly and moved across the floor, low to the ground. 

I reached Link's bed and reached my fingers out slowly. Nervously, I tapped his shoulder. It took a few tries, but I woke him.

"Link," I whispered. "I'm sorry to wake you. I just... I can't sleep."

Link paused for a moment and thought. Then, he struck flint that was on the nightstand and lit the candle. I could see the expression on his face, he was very calm and sleepiness glazed his eyes. He scooted over in the bed and put his hand down in the open space, seeming to welcome me if I wanted it. My heart was pounding out of my chest... The gorons must have been able to hear it from a mile away. I cautiously climbed into the bed and laid flat like a board, staying as still as possible not to bother him. He blew out the candle.

I didn't move after that. I was in shock. I was so excited yet calm that I was next to him. He adjusted himself to find a comfortable position and he didn't move much after that. I lied there and just thought for the longest time. I thought about what this meant, I thought about what this could become. I thought about how the knight who would recklessly throw himself into death's way for me was lying right next to me. 

As I felt myself start to drift to sleep, I felt a strong gentle arm reach over and hold me.

I was out like a light.